Efficient image annotation display and transmission

Abstract

Computer-readable media having corresponding apparatus embodies instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising: receiving, from a user interface, an annotation associated with a background image; adding the annotation to a queue of pending annotations; causing transmission of the annotation to a server; removing the annotation from the queue of pending annotations, and adding the annotation to a list of acknowledged annotations, when an acknowledgment of the annotation is received from the server; and generating a display image comprising the background image, annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations, and annotations in the queue of pending annotations.

1. Computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising:
 receiving, from a user interface, an annotation associated with a background image; 
 adding the annotation to a queue of pending annotations; 
 causing transmission of the annotation to a server; 
 removing the annotation from the queue of pending annotations, and adding the annotation to a list of acknowledged annotations, when an acknowledgment of the annotation is received from the server; and 
 generating a display image comprising
 the background image, 
 annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations, and 
 annotations in the queue of pending annotations. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation comprises the annotation. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein generating the display image comprises:
 rendering the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations with a first appearance; and 
 rendering the annotations in the queue of pending annotations with a second appearance. 
 
     
     
       4. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation 
 indicates a Z-order for the annotation; and 
 wherein the display image is generated according to the Z-orders of the annotations. 
 
     
     
       5. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 removing one or more coordinates from the annotation before causing transmission of the annotation. 
 
     
     
       6. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 checking a validity of the annotation before transmitting the annotation; and 
 if the annotation is not valid, discarding the annotation without transmitting the annotation or adding the annotation to the queue of pending annotations. 
 
     
     
       7. The computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 generating an acknowledged annotation image comprising 
 the background image, and 
 the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations; and 
 generating the display image based on the acknowledged annotation image and the annotations in the queue of pending annotations. 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors and a memory; 
 an input module adapted to receive, from a user interface, an annotation associated with a background image; 
 a control module adapted to add the annotation to a queue of pending annotations; 
 an output module adapted to transmit the annotation from the apparatus to a server; 
 wherein the control module removes the annotation from the queue of pending annotations, and adds the annotation to a list of acknowledged annotations, when an acknowledgment of the annotation is received by the apparatus from the server; 
 wherein the output module generates a display image comprising 
 the background image, 
 annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations, and 
 annotations in the queue of pending annotations; and 
 wherein the one or more processors and the memory cooperate to implement at least in part the input, output and control modules. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation comprises the annotation. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein, to generate the display image, the output module renders the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations with a first appearance, and renders the annotations in the queue of pending annotations with a second appearance. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation indicates a Z-order for the annotation; and 
 wherein the output module generates the display image according to the Z-orders of the annotations. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein the control module removes one or more coordinates from the annotation before transmitting the annotation. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein the control module checks a validity of the annotation before transmitting the annotation, and if the annotation is not valid, discards the annotation without transmitting the annotation or adding the annotation to the queue of pending annotations. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 8 :
 wherein the output module generates an acknowledged annotation image comprising
 the background image, and 
 the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations; and 
 
 wherein the output module generates the display image based on the acknowledged annotation image and the annotations in the queue of pending annotations. 
 
     
     
       15. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors and a memory; 
 input means for receiving, from a user interface, an annotation associated with a background image; 
 control means for adding the annotation to a queue of pending annotations; 
 output means for transmitting the annotation from the apparatus to a server; 
 wherein the control means removes the annotation from the queue of pending annotations, and adds the annotation to a list of acknowledged annotations, when an acknowledgment of the annotation is received by the apparatus from the server; 
 wherein the output means generates a display image comprising
 the background image, 
 annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations, and 
 annotations in the queue of pending annotations; and 
 
 wherein the one or more processors and the memory cooperate to implement at least in part the input, output and control means. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation comprises the annotation. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein, to generate the display image, the output means renders the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations with a first appearance, and renders the annotations in the queue of pending annotations with a second appearance. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein the acknowledgment of the annotation indicates a Z-order for the annotation; and 
 wherein the output means generates the display image according to the Z-orders of the annotations. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein the control means removes one or more coordinates from the annotation before transmitting the annotation. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein the control means checks a validity of the annotation before transmitting the annotation, and if the annotation is not valid, discards the annotation without transmitting the annotation or adding the annotation to the queue of pending annotations. 
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 15 :
 wherein the output means generates an acknowledged annotation image comprising
 the background image, and 
 the annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations; and 
 
 wherein the output means generates the display image based on the acknowledged annotation image and the annotations in the queue of pending annotations.